New York Rangers forward Jepser Fast continues to make progress in his rehab from hip surgery and could be back in seven-to-10 days.
Jesper Fast can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Fast was cleared for contact about two weeks ago and had his skating test this mourning. Once he receives medical clearance from the Rangers, he can participate in full practices and set an official return date.
"It shouldn’t be that long until I can be out there again.” – #NYR forward Jesper Fast gives an update on his return to the lineup. pic.twitter.com/QhO068Umue
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) October 11, 2017
Fast spoke to reporters Wednesday morning.
“Still doing good. I did the skate test this morning so I thought that I did pretty good. Just waiting for the medical team to clear me. It shouldn’t be that long until I can be out there again.”
Fast added that building his legs and stamina back up is his primary focus at this stage of his rehab.
“This summer I wasn’t able to do legs, in the beginning, so you do other stuff, Of course now the big priority is to skate right now. Been doing a lot of stuff on the ice. That’s what I’m doing right now to prepare to get ready.”
Jesper Fast's return to the #NYR lineup is "closing in." https://t.co/yZanIC8SB2 pic.twitter.com/vzSlJwHtBL
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) October 11, 2017
Head coach Alain Vigneault reported that Fast had the fourth-best time on the skating drill of the entire group. While he’s looking forward to getting Fast back, he knows it will take more than one player to get the team back to winning hockey games.
“It’s not just one player. Quickie is an important player to our group here, but right now we’re a work in progress here,” Vigneault told Matt Calamia of the team’s website. “We’re trying to sort out our identity here. Trying to sort out the chemistry, whether it be with duos or linemates. It’s where we are. We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us. I feel that everybody wants to put in the work and the time and the effort that’s needed.”
The Rangers are off until back-to-back games this weekend: Friday at Columbus and Saturday at home against the New Jersey Devils.
